Processing holder for photographic sheet material



I yam/7D, JWFFLEA? 4r k/vEyJ Jan. 23, 1945.

Patented Ja... 23, 1945 PROCESSING HOLDER FOR PHOTOGRAPHIC SHEET MATERIAL Harold F. Stiffler, Medway, Ohio Application August 5, 1943, Serial No. 497,536

(Granted under the act of March 3, 1883, as amended April 30, 1928; 370 0. G. 757) 7 Claims.

The invention described herein may be manufactured and used by or for the Government for governmental purposes, without the payment to me of any royalty thereon.

This invention relates primarily to the art of photography, and more particularly to processing holders for cut films, sensitized paper, and other sheet-like photographic material, for supporting the same along its marginal edges during the processing and handling thereof, having for an object the provision of a simple holding device for securely supporting the sheet material in straight or flat condition, and preventing displacement thereof from the holder, together with easily manipulatable release means for permitting the insertion of the sheet into the holder, and subsequent removal of the sheet from the holder.

A further object is the provision of a holder for photographic sheet material, such as cut films, photographic paper and the like, in which a simple retaining means is provided for preventing accidental displacement of the material from the holder during the processing thereof, in which the retaining means is movable between retaining and nonretaining position, in the dark, by a simple, one-handed operation.

A further object is the provision of resilient means for maintaining the retaining means in its operative and inoperative ositions, including locking means for positively preventing accidental displacement of the retaining means when the same is in operative or retaining position.

A still further object is the provision of a sheet holding device which is extremely simple in construction, positive in operation, and capable of economical manufacture, in quantity.

Other and further objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawing, in which like reference characters refer to like parts in the several figures.

Fig. 1 is a plan view of my improved sheet holder, the sheet retaining means being shown in operative position in full lines, and in its inoperative position in dotted lines.

Fig. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view taken approximately on the plane indicated by the line 2-2 in Fig. 1, and,

Fig. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary perspective view more clearly illustrating certain details of construction of my improved holder.

In photography, frame holders of channel edge form are often provided, into which sheets,

such as cut films, sensitized paper, etc., may be inserted for developing, fixing, washing, or drying. Considerable difficulty is often encountered in the use of ordinary holders, due to the accidental displacement of the sheet material when the holders are inserted into the developer or processing liquid, and while attempts have been made to obviate this difliculty by utilizing retaining means on the frames for holding the sheets in place, these supplemental retaining means are usually complicated, requiring two hands to manipulate them, and it is often difficult, if not impossible, to operate these known devices in the dark, or with only one hand. When the film or sheet material is clamped in some of these holding devices, the material is not free to expand or contract during the processing, and is often caused to bend or wrinkle, also, the clamping means often prevents the developer from reaching the entire surface of the sheet material.

Referring to Figs. 2 and 3 of the drawings, disclosing my improved construction, which eliminates all the aforementioned objections, and comprises a rectangular channel frame A and a sheet retaining means indicated generally at B:

The channel frame A is composed of side members I and 2, and end members 3 and 4. The two side channel members I and 2, and the end member 3 are of U-shaped cross section, and re preferably apertured along their three edges, as seen in the drawing, and indicated at 4a, to permit the processing liquid to pass freely into and through the channels.

An angle bar 5 extends across the frame A between the channel members I and 2, having one flange thereof riveted, welded, or otherwise secured to one flange of each of the side members, as indicated at 6-6, and the other laterally bent flange of the angle bar constitutes an upstanding stop flange 5a, to limit longitudinal movement of the photographic sheet I, while the first-mentioned flange of the angle bar constitutes a support for the upper edge of the sheet. The flanges of the two side channel members are also positioned to overlap the marginal edges of the photographic sheet, as shown in the drawing, and consequently, the holders must be made in different sizes to accommodate standard sized photographic sheets, or special kits may be employed in the holders.

The adjoining ends of the frame members are securely fastened together to form a rigid rectangular frame structure, and the upper cross frame member 4 is preferably relatively wider than the other frame members, and has its lower edges 4 inturned, and is also provided with an enlarged aperture 4b, so that the frame may be hung, or otherwise supported on a hanger introduced into this opening.

A guide tongue member 8 is stamped from one flange of each of the, side channel member I and 2, in diametrically opposite relation at points adjacent the cross bar member to provide an opening 9 through the flanges with the free ends of these tongues pressed downwardly into cOntact with the other flange of the respective side channel members. These guide tongues incline downwardly from the ends of the openings 9 to form spaced inclined guide members at opposite sides of the frame A to facilitate the insertion of the photographic sheet through the opening, and the removal of the sheet from the holder through the openings 9 after processing.

The side channel members may be provided, if desired, with opposite hanger brackets ID, as shown in the drawing, to support the holder in the usual manner in the processing tank.

The movable retaining means is provided for preventing accidental displacement of the photographic sheet, and comprises a resilient member II, such as a spring wire bent at right angles, adjacent the side channel members I and 2, as indicated at I2-I2, to extend toward the upper end member 4 of the holder. This spring wire is then bent laterally again, as indicated at II-I3, to extend into the space between the two spaced parallel flanges of the channel members I and 2, after which the end portions of the wire are bent, as at I in Figs. 2 and 3, to extend along the interior of the channels with the flange engaging end bent slightly to present a smooth sliding surface. The ends of the wire are tensioned against the lower, or rear face of the interior of the channels, so as to tend to rock the main portions I I and arms I2 -I2 of the spring downwardly with the intermediate laterally bent portions "-43, acting as a fulcrum against the opposite inner faces of the flanges of the side channel members I and 2.

A detent plate or sheet retaining member I5 extends across the frame between the side channels with one race in slidable engagement with the edge of the upturned flange 5a of the angle bar 5, having its side edges terminating adjacent the side frame members I and 2. This plate has one of its longitudinal edges bent around the intermediate portion of the spring member I I, and firmly secured thereto in any suitable manner. The opposite parallel edge of this retaining plate is rebent at I5 to form a return flange II, constituting locking means, and normally disposed below the outer edge of the flange 5a of the angle bar 5, so as to impinge the bar, as seen in Fig. 3, when the retaining plate is moved toward dotted line position, as shown in the drawing, preventing the retaining plate I5 from being shifted toward the upper cross rrame member 4 of the holder frame when the retaining member is in an operative position in the frame, with the rebent flange I'l overlying the marginal edge of a photographic sheet resting on the supporting flange of the angle bar 5.

In order to load the holder or septum, or to remove the sheet of sensitized photographic material from the holder after processing, the operator grasps the handle 4 in one hand and presses the retaining plate I5 outwardly with the fingers of the same hand to raise the rebent flange I'I above the upturned flange 5a of the angle bar 5.

Ill

The plate I5 may now be drawn rearwardly by the fingers until the laterally bent portions I3--I 3 of the spring wire tensioning member II strike the upper limit pins I8--IB, extending across the mouth of the side frame channels I and 2. In this position, the retaining plate I5 is in an inoperative relation, withdrawn from sheet retaining position across the lower flange of the angle bar 5, the rebent portion I! of the plate I5 resting on the upturned flange 5a of the angle bar 5.

The photographic sheet can now be inserted or withdrawn through the openings 9-9, and the two tongue members 8--B on the side frame channels deflect the upper edge of the sheet through the openings out of the holder as it is withdrawn.

In loading the holder, with the detent plate I5 in inoperative position, the opposite edges of the sheet are inserted through the openings 9-9 and slide down the tongues 88 into the side channels I and 2 until the lower edge of the sheet is received in the lower end frame channel member 3. When the sheet is in this position, the upper edge of the sheet is below the upturned or stop flange 5a. of the angle bar 5, and resting on the other flange of the angle bar. As the retaining plate I5 is pushed downwardly toward the end channel member 3, the'rebent locking and retaining flange I! will move above the edge of the photographic sheet I, as the end of the rebent flange I"! passes off the upturned flange 5a, snapping down to locking position, due to the spring action of the supporting spring member .I I.

Downward sliding movement of the retaining plate on the side frame channel is limited by a second set of limit pins 20-20, passing through the opposite flanges of the side frame channels in spaced longitudinal relation to the other limit pins I8--I8.

Th combined retaining and locking member B is preferably assembled separably, after which the free end portions I4I4 of the spring memher are tensioned toward each other and inserted into channels at the opposite side frame members I and Z, and the limit pins I8-I8 or -20 are inserted, one of these pins being located at each side of the lateral spring portions I3-I3, as shown in the drawing, to slidably secure the sheet retaining member B in the frame A against accidental displacement.

Since the plate member I5 rests on the outer edge of the upturned flange 5a of the angle bar 5, this prevents the rebent flange portion I I from clamping the upper marginal edge of the photographic sheet, ,the flange portion I1 being in spaced relation with respect to the adjacent supporting flange of the angle bar 5 to permit processing fluid to freely reach this marginal edge of the photographic sheet, and the sheet is prevented from moving past the flange 5a of the angle bar by the overlying rebent portion I1 of the plate.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is,

1. In aprocessing holder for photographic sheet material, a rectangular frame composed of spaced parallel side and end U-shaped channel niembers secured together at their adjoining portions with the channels facing each other, a sheet retaining cross bar member secured to the spaced parallel side frame member intermediate the ends thereof, said cross bar member comprising a sheet supporting flange and an adjacent laterally formed sheet stopping flange, a longitudinally extending guide tongue member stamped from one flange of each side frame member and disposed in an inclined plane inclining across said bar member, in the channel in the side frame member to the inner surface of the opposite flange thereof, a resiliently mounted longitudinally slidable retaining plate, mounted for limited sliding movement intermediate the parallel side channel members of the frame, from a position projecting across the stop flange of the cross bar member to overlie the supporting flange, to a non-overlying position, said retaining plate having its overlying edge rebent downwardly and rearwardly to engage the stop flange when the plate is in its sheet retainin position, and means yieldably maintaining the plate in said flange engaging position.

2. In a photographic sheet holder of the class described, an elongated frame comprising a pair of spaced parallel side frame channel members opening toward each other, a channel cross member connecting one end of each of the parallel side frame channel members together, a sheet supporting bar member connecting said parallel side frame channel members together at points remote from said cross channel member, disposed in a plane extending longitudinally through the side channels and formed with a laterally bent sheet stop flange extending therefrom across a plane extending longitudinally through the channels of the side frame channel members, said parallel side frame channel members each having one of the flanges of the channel adjacent the outer edge of the bar member formed with a sheet receiving opening leading into the channel opening of said side frame member and a sheet guide member inclining downwardly from. the upper end of said last-mentioned opening across the channel opening and the outer edge of the bar, to the inner surface of the other flange of said side frame channel member.

3. In a photographic sheet holder of the class described, an elongated frame, spaced parallel U-shaped side frame channel members opening toward each other, a U-shaped-channel cross member connecting one end of each of the parallel side frame channel members together, a sheet supporting angle bar member connecting said parallel side frame channel members to-- gether at points remote from said cross channel member, said angle bar member having one flange thereof disposed to lie in a plane extending longitudinally through the parallel side frame channel members to form a sheet supporting member and a sheet stop flange extending across the frame and said plane in angular relation to the first-mentioned flange, said parallel side frame channel members each having one flange thereof adjacent the outer edge of the stop flange formed with a sheet receiving opening leading into the channel opening in the side frame channel member, guide means inclining downwardly from the upper end of said last-mentioned opening in said flange across the channel opening and across the outer edge of the stop flange to the inner surface of the other flange of the side frame channel member, sheet retaining means, slidably carried on the holder to move longitudinally with respect to said side frame channel members between sheet retaining position overlying the sheet supporting flange of said angle bar member and inoperative position withdrawn from said over lying relation, and movement limiting abutment means extending into the path of movement of the sheet retaining means for limiting the move- Iii iii]

- parallel channel members together at points remote from said cross channel member, said bar member having one flange thereof disposed to lie in a plane extending longitudinally between the parallel side channels and a second stop flange extending across the frame in angular re- .lation to the first-mentioned flange, said parallel side frame members each having its flange adjacent the outer edge of the stop flange formed with a sheet receiving opening leading into the channel opening in the side member, and a guide tongue member inclining from one end of said last-mentioned opening downwardly across the channel opening and the outer edge of the stop flange toward the inner surface of the other flange of said channel member, a sheet retaining plate resiliently held in sliding contact relation with the edge of the stop flange movable between sheet retaining position, overlying the supporting flange of the angle bar, and in inoperative position retracted from said overlying relation, locking means preventing the retraction of said plate comprising a projection extending from the plate into the path of relative movement of the stop flange upon retractive movement of said plate.

5. In a sheet holder of the class described, an elongated frame comprising a pair of spaced parallel channel members opening toward each other, a-channel-shaped cross member connecting one end of each of the parallel channel members together, a sheet supporting angle bar member connecting said parallel channel members together at points remote from said cross channel member, said angle bar member having one flange thereof disposed to lie in a plane extending longitudinally between the side flanges of the side channels, having a stop flange extending across the frame in angular relation to the first-mentioned flange, said parallel side frame members each having its flange adjacent the outer edge of the stop flange, formed with a sheet receiving opening therein leading into the channel opening in the channel member, a guide tongue member inclining from one end of said last-mentioned opening downwardly toward the channel-shaped cross member across the channel opening and the outer edge of the stop flange to the inner surface of the other flange of the channel member, retractable sheet retaining means comprising an elongated plate having one of its longitudinal edges rebent to form a stop shoulder, and movable resilient mounting means for plate urging the same toward the free edge of the angle bar stop flange to rest thereon, projecting over the sheet supporting flange with the rebent stop flange in looking relation with the stop flange to prevent retraction of the retaining member, and resilient means slidably disposed in said side channel members connected to the plate, yieldably tensioning said plate toward the edge of the angle bar stop flange.

6. In a sheet holder of the class described, an elongated frame comprising a pair of spaced parallel elongated side channel members opening toward each other to form longitudinally extendcross member connecting one end of each of the parallel side members together, a sheet supporting cross member connecting said parallel channel members together at points remote from said channel-shaped cross member having a flange disposed to lie in a plane extending longitudinally of the frame between the parallel side flanges of the side channel members and a stop flange extending across the frame in angular relation to the first-mentioned flange, said parallel side channel members each having its flange ad- J'acent the outer edge of the stop flange formed to provide a sheet receiving opening therein leading into the longitudinally extending sheet receiving opening and a guide tongue member inclining from one end of the opening downwardly across the sheet receiving groove and across the outer edge of the stop flange toward the inner surface of the other flange of the side channel member, a retractable sheet retaining member comprising an elongated plate having one of its longitudinal edges rebent to form a stop shoulder, resilient mounting means fixed to the plate and projecting into the longitudinally extending grooves in the side channel members, urging the plate toward the free edge of the angle bar stop flange, with said stop shoulder disposed over the sheet supporting flange to engage said angle bar stop flange to prevent retraction of the sheet retaining member, tensioning said plate against the edge of said angle bar stop flange, and moveing sheet receiving grooves, a channel-shaped ment limiting projections carried by said side channel members "in the path of movement 01 said retaining member to limit the slidin movement thereof to and from said sheet retaining position.

7. In a holder, an elongated rectangular frame for supporting the marginal edge of sheets of photographic material comprising a pair of spaced parallel side channel members having their channels opening toward each other, a cross channel member connecting the lower end of each of the parallel channel members together, and an angle bar member connecting the parallel channel members together at equally spaced points remote from said cross channel member, said angle bar member having a sheet supportin flange disposed in a plane extending longitudinally through the channel openings between the flanges of the said parallel side channel members, and a second laterally bent stop flange disposed'in a plane extending across the longitudinal channel openings at right angles to said sheet supporting flange of the angle bar, a

handle member connecting the upper extremities of the two parallel side channels together, a sheet retaining plate slidably mounted in the side channel members between the angle bar member and said handle member to move to and from a position across said stop flange and overlying said sheet supporting flange.

HAROLD F. STIFF'LER. 

